Every day, nearly 100,000 Philly students in grades 7-12 travel to and from school. Young people in Philly deserve a safe, reliable way to get to school as well as sports, academic programs, and jobs they may participate in after school. Unfortunately, the current SEPTA student fare program does not go far enough.
- Student fare cards are only valid from 5:30am-8:00pm on days when school is in session.
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Fare cards do not work on the weekends or over the summer when students need access to jobs and other opportunities.
- Students are only eligible for the cards if they live more than 1.5 miles from their campus - leaving out more than 30,000 secondary students in Philadelphia.
Why this matters now:
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The current geographic and time restrictions on the student fare creates a financial burden on students and their families to be able to explore after-school opportunities through their school district and around the city.
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For a student who is not geographically eligible for the card, a 1.5 mile commute is a 30 minute walk. This commute poses walkability issues as students may have to walk on crumbling infrastructure or endure possible injury due to slipping or falling on inclement weather. A burden is placed on students and their families who then have to arrange alternative transportation or have their student walk to school.
- The pass only allows for travel to and from school, and does not support school requirements outside of school hours, employment, after-school programs, social activities, or engaging with their community around Philadelphia.
Hear What Philly Students have to say:
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“Because I only live 1.4 miles from school, I can’t use the card and I have to pay for SEPTA. I usually ride my bike to school, but in the winter it’s too cold” RJ, Boys Latin Charter.
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“I have required volunteer hours for my high school to graduate, and I am only available on weekends to do them, so to complete them I am paying for SEPTA” Yania, Walter B. Saul.
- “I believe that expanding the outreach for student fares would encourage students to participate in more community-based services over the summer” Ayumi, Prep. Charter.
Our call to action:
We call on the School District of Philadelphia, SEPTA, and the City of Philadelphia to work together to:
- Expand access for student fare cards this year to include evenings, weekends, and summer for Philly students.
- Provide SEPTA Key Advantage benefits for all of SDP students and workers
- The City of Philadelphia should appropriate funding to expand eligibility to all grades 7–12 students regardless of distance from school.
